This bill mandates that drivers and passengers of antique vehicles, specifically those with model years of 1968 or older, must wear seat or safety belts when operating these vehicles on state or local highways for distances exceeding 20 miles. The requirement is exempted for vehicles participating in parades or traveling off-road. The new legal language introduced in this bill includes the establishment of a new section, RSA 265:107-b, which outlines the seat belt requirements and the conditions under which they do not apply. Additionally, the bill clarifies that it does not override existing laws regarding seat belt usage.

The bill also stipulates that the Department of Transportation is responsible for adopting rules related to the installation and regulation of seat and safety belts in these antique vehicles. The effective date for this legislation is set for January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact of the bill is currently indeterminable, with potential implications for state and local expenditures related to enforcement and compliance, as well as possible effects on the judicial and correctional systems due to the introduction of a new violation penalty.